Habemus Papam! Gaudium Magnum!

Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum;

Habemus Papam:

Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum,

Dominum Georgium Marium 

Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Bergoglio,

Qui sibi nomen imposuit Franciscum

(Announce to you a great joy; we have a Pope. Emminet and most revered lord, Dom Jorge Mario, Holy Roman Church, Cardinal Bergoglio. He took the name Francis.)            

          And with these words, the French Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran announced to the hundreds of thousands who were in St. Peter's Square and to the millions around the world who were connected to Vatican through the all technology we have available in 21st century, from the radio and television to the smartphones and social network. 

                Although he wasn't in the list that the midia was scattering as the "most probable names" to accupy St. Peter's throne, when Pope Francis appeared, with his gentle words and his kindly smile, lots of people felt that all the waiting was absolutely worthwhile. He captivated people not only by his charisma, but also by his simple way of acting. And that's one important point for a good leader - good acts! Good acts will serve as examples for all the others who follow him. Throughout the history of the Papacy, Francis is the first Pope from Latin America or, as he defined his origin place: "You know that the duty of the conclave was to give a bishop to Rome. It seems that my brother cardinals went almost to the end of the world to get him. But here we are." Take into consideration that Ushuaia is in Argentina, we can say that he's right! And besides all that, it's also said that Pope Francis, while living in Buenos Aires, cooked his own meals and rode the bus like all the other commuters. 

 So, due to all that, it wasn't a surprise that, when Vatican Cardinal Giovanni Battista asked him: "What  name would you like to be known by?", he answered: "I shall be called Francis I". The Pope took his regnal name from one of the most beloved saints, St. Francis of Assisi, well known for his love for all creatures and his humble way of living. But Adrian Salbuchi wrote that his choice could also be to honor to St. Francis Javier or even St. Francis de Borja, both of whom were, like himself, Jesuits. Or maybe he is honoring all of these three saints. Every new Pope faces different kinds of crisis and challenges and with Pope Francis it will be the same. But the hundreds of thousands that were in Rome and the millions and millions around the world, for sure, will be praying for him, for a period with so much great joy and hope as we could see and feel today.

Post Question: Do you follow any religion? Is it the same of your family? What aspect (or aspects) of your religion do you like most?  Based on what you've read and seen lately, what is your first impression of Pope Francis? 

Tip: The Vatican site provides more information about the Pope Francis and you can read it in Portuguese and in English. (Of course you are going to choose English) (Just click here) and you can keep yourself up to date following his holiness' account on Twitter - @Pontifex